Harvard receives $150 million donation to fund scholarships

A Harvard alumnus has had the largest donation in the school's history: $150 million. (Photo: Amanda Art/Metro)

A Harvard alumnus is providing the esteemed university with the largest financial donation in the school's history: $150 million.

Kenneth Griffin, CEO of Citadel and a 1989 graduate of Harvard University, made the large donation to help fund the school's financial aid program, the university revealed in the Harvard Gazette on Wednesday. Not only will the gift bring 200 Griffin scholarship recipients to Harvard, but it will also provide matching funds for 600 scholarships through the new Griffin Leadership Challenge Fund for Financial Aid, which is meant to inspire other alumni and friends to contribute to the program.

“It is extremely important that students of all backgrounds have the opportunity to challenge themselves, learn to solve complex problems and ultimately better our world,” Griffin told the Harvard Gazette. “My goal with this gift is to help ensure that Harvard’s need-blind admission policy continues, and that our nation’s best and brightest have continued access to this outstanding institution.”

In honor of Griffin's donation, the Harvard College Office of Financial Aid will be renamed the Griffin Financial Aid Office.